the amber hue of the portal flickers to life. Calmly frostlight took a deep breath in and out, before his eyes take in the absolute darkness and the oppressive air already putting weight on his shoulders. Chatsworth followed swiftly with a sharp lunge for whatever is the at the end of the portal. He coughs up deom the stench of dried blood or it smelt like that. Shadow collector was rather amazed by the density of the black bark of the trees cutting a searing red in the tree lines
shadow collector: wow look at this! I'm in my natural habitat here! *he "swims" around on the ground, the darkness practically shallowing their legs as frostlight and chatsworth took their first steps with caution*
chatsworth: *turning on his wrist watch to dim settings as their flashlight*...So frostlight you got any of them plans? Or a clue or whatnot...?
frostlight: *darting his eyes around the forest, looking out if that red light is nearer to them* i did...Until you two caught me. Accounting for only myself as the sole casualty
chatsworth: *places his hands one of the trees and try to feel the bark* actual suicide mission man, good thing we pulled you out of that- am i touching a tree?
he looks at the featureless tree up closely. Rubbing his hands up and down what felt like missing textures. Then he attempted to scoop anything from the ground but even bent down as far as his arms reaches, he was grasping at air but his legs were on something so it cant be nothing. Shadow collector followed up behind chatsworth
shadow collector: it better to not wrap your head around it! Literally *the shadow sizes the flat barks of the trees and hopping to each like a alive cave painting*
chatsworth: i'm stupid for not asking this earlier but where are we? *he puts his hands on the sides of his head* I should have asked multima where we're getting our asses into cause i was up my ass about teamwork-
frostlight: from what info i could scap off of before i was evicted, this is the elites' station. Hiding out in a plane many dont have the access to and require older but strong technology, layers they're called
frostlight and chatsworth wonder aimlessly through the shrouded forest whose branches never end, twirling around each stick contributing to the shadows below. Chatsworth springs in his mouth as frostlight mentions layers
chatsworth: oh you mean those places of myth! It the same thing as the boiling isles from my mythology class, legends say they are lost to time like the isles are and- wait shade you should know something right? *he turns to the moving still image of shadow collector* i mean your from the isles right? So you should know a thing or two about layers?
shadow collector: huh? I have no clue what you mean, zip zero nada! I'm new to this as any of you! Maybe i would rate this higher than that miserable pot since it caters to me very well to my sensitivity-
a big beam of red light vaporize collector right on the flat bark. Signaling to the duo who are inches from the beam, to ran frantically to the sides. Narrowly dodging the trees as the red light attempts to make out the rustling underneath the dark. Frostlight agilely toss and turn his blocky body, going as far as his disattached arms are able to. Other sounds of a rumbling force picking up dust, a force of a stampede heading in one blind direction where ever the red light point. Frostlight managed to tackle one of them to ground, driving a fist right in it face before it can alert anyone. Lifting his fist right out of the minion's chest or maybe face, a concentrated amount of bright red dust coats the hand. Before being too curious what this is, frostlight wipes the dust on his jacket
a sweeping cloak or shadow leap over frostlight's vision before he can act
frostlight: YOU! *thrashes while the cloak like shadow falls on him*
shadow collector: ow! OW! OW! STOP IT! I'm saving your butts right now! Cant you see!
a hand reaches out for frostlight's shoulder
chatsworth: hey thought it be nice to share this nifty little thing shade has this semi infinite space within him to...pocket us in a way. I mean it worked for me
shadow collector: you better not yell in there! I dont have special skin for sound proofing!
carefully frostlight and chatsworth drag the motionless body of the minion to a more quiet spot that isnt pulsing with tremors. Chatsworth cracks his fingers at picking and hacking into this robotic dispoable. Triggering a few wires here and there in the punctured hole, they got a signal tracking to somewhere. Perhaps a structure within parameters as indicated by the glow leaning to a direction. They move slowly as collector tries to crawl while the duo drgas the robotic body to where it is pointing
Being on all fours while being highly skeptical is this works at all, entering their sights is a towering skyscaper, nearly blending to the nothingness of the sky if it weren't for the ambient crimson far below it. Emitted by more of the robotic minions pacing amok. The trio stand still from a distance. The running swarm of the guards stood immediately still and then reformed themselves to a absolute line up
walking from what seems to be the sole entrance to the building, were two men of similar stature to frostlight but significantly elevated in terms of height and features such as one of the men's silhouette having fur along their neck. The other one is a neon pink freak with spider legs sprouting from the back side
???: *tigtens his fur coat and adjusting his cuffs before addressing the static robotic guards* men halt! There has been a alert directed to the comms about a frame portal originating from the magma realm where multima resides in, activated in a non business day *he steps right up to one of the guards to hear a clear answer quickly*
guard: unable to confirm the disruptor or disruptors behind the opening of the latent portal frame-
???: tsk! Failure you are! Not even doing your purpose right you shit! And wasting MY time out here! Oh well your better suited to being a ball *instantly pieces the guard with one of his spider limbs. Tossing the bot around to crushing it to a compact smaller shape. Rocking the compressed scarp metal around his spider legs for any kind of entertainment*
???: elite nano, i find that highly uncalled for capital punishment
nano: then how else am i meant to blame this..Rush of ennui in me? Head man and everyone else kept whispering all "we need to transport these big no no dusts to some guys we blacked out" and "oh yeah totally we trust them to be our ultra professional druggies!"
the two men went on ahead to walk around the vicinity
???: i am sometimes take aback you can the ability of 'paying attention' acutely well but you butchered the execution of it *his eyes tracing where the clean cut "ground" ends and the densed black forest*
nano: that just i think to survive this windowless insane asylum! Anyways, why we're here? *he conveniently throws the metal ball he was juggling right over his head like a intentional lightbulb* oh this concerns that random bum we hire to be legal, why dont we kill him already? His sole purpose in life is being our ticket to the mines but that aint the case anymore. That portal picking up is the first and probably i think about that ant
???: we will get to the disposal of multima but first, we should go ahead and see the portal frame ourselves to assess if it really our cilent, multima wishing to speak with us
nano: and this is why i have to curl that bot up! Not doing the work properly themselves!
the metal ball fell out of the juggling loop between nano's spider limbs, falling near the bushes until a flat arm came out and smack the ball right back to nano. Shortly the two men turn their heads backwards to see who that was. Nano didnt hesitant to stab the bush where that arm came from. Nano felt a tug in his limb before spearing more of his spider legs to stab the bush
shadow collector: W- WATCH IT PAL! *he unwraps the barrier hiding frostlight and chatsworth, prioritizing to holding back six sharp limbs. Exposing themselves completely*
the duo had to divert away but one of the men wasnt going to let them leave so cleanly. The man with the fur coat unscathed a thin line of a object where it was hard to see but chatsworth got struck first. On his shoulder being grazed harshly, grunting on the ground. Without command, shadow collector envelop nano's limbs to slap the fur coat man to pester him. Frostlight steps back to chatsworth and picks him up by the hoodie. Making a break towards the portal. With the backpack moving, the collector unvoluntarily leaves before he can flip these two men reality
shadow collector: I'LL GET THE AIR YOU BREATHE BEFORE YOU EVER TOUCH DAD- i mean CHATS AGAIN-
all three of the intruders exit through the portal
nano:...You wanna go head hunting, mister r.e.d? *flexing his spider limbs*
r.e.d:..Always leaving behind their trails *picking up his thin sword and seeing the lick of blood on it tip* it will be soon enough, elite nano
nano: SOMETHING to salvage! *started to trace back to the building* Give me your best hooks! I'll make their little home a slaughter house
back to the basement encased in grey walls, multima was prepping his material while trying to watch out for anything the portal pops out. If worse comes to worse, he can always head upstairs and unmantle that sword....But the least wanted possibility didnt happen. Multima stood up as Frostlight and chatsworth stumble out of the portal frame. Frostlight pulls chatsworth extra harder where shadow collector flings back to the room like a elastic band. Multima get to work to deactivating the frame
multima: the trip? Ya got anything?
frostlight heaves chatsworth onto a chair. Collector wraps himself onto him, particularly around his injured arm
frostlight: ha..aahh...You have any...Spare steel or wood around here?
the next day, chatsworth and shadow collector were outside in the market fetching food and essentials while frostlight took guarding upon himself. Responsible for nailing the barricades on the open roof of their house. Waxing the golden axe but he wasnt taking his eyes dart between the gleaming weapon and the still door. Suspecting the "moment" before it can occur
a soft click of rhythmic knocking. The axe flash, frostlight quietly line his back on the wall where the door would shield him from the view of who is knocking
nano: knock knock! Anyone home? I'm just your wee little grandmama who just broke her spine while getting here, will you poor little old me in-
r.e.d went ahead and punched the door himself. To the point his fist grabs at the air. Proceeding to kick the door open in full swing
nano: oh c'mon you humorless sack of fur! Ever toyed with your meat? *lowers his spider limbs to enter underneath the frame*
drawing his sword as it incandescence sizzles from it sheath. Even not within reach, frostlight can feel the rays off from the sword. Holding his breath steadily as these two are the people behind it all in his past. Taking a deep sigh and a raised angle where the heavenly axe gleamed golden from the scarlet aura. The brief flap of his wings leap frostlight over right to the top of r.e.d's head
CLANG! axe and blade met! Both weapons sliding against the other in a struggle. Frostlight presses the axe lower to r.e.d's throat before getting grabbed by spindly limbs that nearly crushes his ribs by gripping him before getting thrown across the blue cube. Cluttering with utensils and a wrecked cheap stove but undeterred from the injuries, frostlight aimed right at r.e.d with the intentions on a duel with him
nano: not so fast runaway chicken! *tagging in from the sides, he catches frostlight by the wings with protracted claws*
frostlight: AAUGH! Psycho! *using his axe to pin on the ground as frostlight serves a kick to nano's sides with the toe tip. The many limbs behind nano reacted with jagged movements*
he further turns the axe and upwards to chop off nano's claws
nano: I had those manicured just now! R.e.d you lot do something! *extending his spider limbs to narrowly miss frostlight, deflecting them with his axe and cutting each limb when they overshoot
r.e.d ever so slowly march his way, in the process he kicks the red couch standing in his way with a overwhelming speed. The force directed at nano as he screams before the couch "runs" him over
r.e.d: i prefer my battles uninterrupted with unnesscary aid *while nano yells and curses at r.e.d, lying on the floor, frostlight and him are engaged in he duel. Reacting to upcoming slashes with parries of light. Frostlight using any air advantage as he can to flip over on higher grounds like the table before r.e.d cleaves on it, cracking it but frostlight flips in the air, trying to imbalance the man but it wasnt working. Still so composed underneath that furred coat, frostlight's movements became more and more frantic overtime in vain attempts to slightly confuse the elite member until...
one of frostlight's overhead maneuvers got caught by r.e.d's giant arm. Struggling to free himself as the grasp closes in on his throat. Squeezing in tightly, r.e.d hoisted frostlight up and hurled him to the wall that stores all their relics. Crashing into a pile of knocked over teasures, weapons, jewellery and artifacts, frostlight splayed on the ground, wildly throwing whatever his hands can reach if any of them can just save this situation. R.e.d naturally bounces off the objects, stepping nearer until he looms over frostlight
when frostlight was shuffling through his options of items, he touches something that felt like a small piece of a shard, he remembers it that feeling in his hands from a few days ago. He contemplated if right now, he can do it again but his vision and bearings aint stable. Silently hiding the crystals underneath his jacket
r.e.d: for a refugee, this is a pathetic display and your allies scarifcing themselves for you were in vain. You didnt get stronger, you only got better at hiding *he gets more closer to frostlight's face as he bends down*
from behind r.e.d, nano hastily escaping from the weight of the couch, yells from the back
nano: hey you furry! Nice "strategy" back there! We make a REALLY good team you know!? *uses 3 of his spider limbs to grip r.e.d by the waist*
r.e.d: elite nano, make yourself useful at once and secure this area *he kicks frostlight out of the way*
nano: you know what the magic word is for me to get to work? It simple as saying sor-
r.e.d: *cuts off one of nano's limbs with the irritated glow of his sword* i said get to it, not play officer
nano: why am i the one to get demoted like this!? And why CANT we kill him there!? *points to frostligh in pain*
r.e.d: i like it better when survivors have nothing left but their guilt to mallow in
using a tiny device that scans the piles and shelves full with relics, it seemingly transport them away like collecting debt. R.e.d looking over frostlight crumpled on the floor as it is being emptied. The glare from him sends a belief of hopelessness over frostlight. Breathing in and out for each second
frostlight: (i'm...really short sighted, i shouldn't have know brought them there...i...i should have been the one to died, i should have...gone with my cowardice..)
after effectively scrubbing the room dry with nothing, nano aggressively whines about going back already but r.e.d couldn't help but belittle the helpless winged man on the floor
r.e.d: as a little message to your loved ones, it okay to admit you enlisted them to a early demise. We will meet again shortly for a garbage disposal
they softly left the blue cube like gusts of wind before disappering to the portal
a section of time later, chatsworth slings over a bag of goods, holding a preheated bento box from a convenience store. Since it was approaching night time, it fitting they can share a nice warm meal before seeing the large hole in their door. Quickly pushing the door wide open, chatsworth sees the whole place ransack, the red couch flipped over, the "kitchen" is scattered and most importantly, frostlight already bracing himself for the reality of chatsworth being mad or disappointed at him
chatsworth: *being on his knees, backpack put aside as shadow collector is creeping outside* FROST! BUDDY! *picks him up by the shoulders* We need to go to heathcare right now-
frostlight: *grunting with the physical injuries of his wings but he stands on his own. Trying to shut himself up from making pained sounds* now now...It may look like...everything went to shit...We're poor and all but! *grabbing the crystals stored safely in his jacket*...They didnt take everything, trust me on this...new plan...
chatsworth: mate you are INSANE! *he takes frostlight's arm and take over to the flipped over couch* Medical aid first! Before you get any more bloodied!
frostlight: your...not concerned with the lack of...money we have? I failed...both of you...to protect anything...*clutching the shards close to his chest*
chatsworth: *walking to a pantry and cabinets*...What do you think friends are for? We're not some gang that leaves others behind, just...stay there...
shadow collector slithers from the backpack, holding that bento box and coming up to frostlight
shadow collector: you..Wanna dine with me? I haven't really learn how to eat or how things- or people heal but it probably a good meal right? *collector looked up at frostlight*
frostlight looked a little...relieved and midly upset that chatsworth didnt want to fully listen to him but he does take the bento box, cracks it open on the lid. Steam flowing out with prepared rice and the food seperated. Taking the time to show collector how to properly use a spoon and fork to which, collector just makes larger versions of them, take a measly scoop of rice and shove it down his throat
shadow collector: like this?
frostlight: pppfff! But no you need to work on that..Here you take the spoon and...
later in the night, chatsworth busy with patching up frostlight. Still holding the crystals, he unfurls his fits to reveal the glimmering shards, highlighted by moonlight
frostlight: as i was saying...Chatsworth we can get back everything with these. Recall that moment when that large demon vanished and a trail of destruction is left? This is what caused it
chatsworth: *squinting his eyes* do...i ever rememmber getting these? They look like pocket change
frostlight: more than that. I can only sense it back then bu- but we can-
the shakiness of his palm let loose one of the shards. Shadow collector catches it before it hit the floor but something within his hand exploded from inside. A great burst of light came and went. Fixed on the spot, shadow collector was standing, actually. No being stuck onto walls or others, fully on thin legs
shadow collector: guys...What happened to me? Do i have a body now?
he turns around and he wasnt sticking his head out either. He frails his arms and shaking his head violently. The only possible explanation...are the crystals
to be continued